Dog Socialization Specialist

Dog Socialization Specialist

Austin Pets Alive! (APA!) is one of Austin's most dynamic and best-loved nonprofits. The organization is the leader in the no kill movement nationally and is considered a national thought leader in animal welfare. APA! locally rescues, treats, and adopts out 10,000 homeless dogs and cats each year, providing the safety net for Austin's most at-risk shelter pets, which helps Austin to be a no-kill city, while also assisting other communities in saving homeless animals. The organization is distinguished by the scrappiness of its grassroots, non-traditional community-based animal rescue work.

The Dog Programs at Austin Pets Alive! serve as a vital part of the No Kill movement in Austin and the surrounding regions by developing models for identifying and rescuing at-risk dogs, caring for dogs with medical and behavioral challenges in an effective, humane, and respectful manner, and supporting these dogs through adoption and in their new homes. The Dog Socialization Specialist plays a vital role in APA!'s Dog Programs, contributing to the organization's mission of saving lives and promoting animal welfare. This position is dedicated to providing essential socialization, enrichment, walks, and care for the dogs in our facility, with a focus on increasing their adoptability and overall well-being. This is a full-time (40 hours/week), nonexempt (hourly) position, directly reporting to the Dog Socialization Supervisor.

• Handling, assessment, and general care of "Behavior Team" dogs.
• Conduct daily playgroup sessions to facilitate positive interactions between dogs, promoting social skills and reducing stress.
• Provide enrichment activities, such as puzzle toys, sensory stimulation, and training exercises, to mentally stimulate and engage the dogs.
• Take dogs on regular walks to provide exercise, mental stimulation, training protocols, and exposure to different environments.
• Assess the behavior and progress of dogs you interact with, documenting observations and communicating with all teams as needed.
• Develop and implement socialization plans tailored to the individual needs of each dog, considering their unique personality, temperament, energy level, and behavior.
• Assist in leading behavior consults, resident dog meet & greets, playgroup assessments, and engaging with potential adopters about the personalities and needs of available dogs.
• Proactively drive initiatives to enhance the mental and behavioral well-being of the dog population.
• Collaborate with and provide assistance to members of every team to ensure the holistic care and well-being of all animals onsite.
• Participate in staff training and development opportunities to enhance knowledge and skills in animal behavior, handling, and enrichment techniques.
• Maintain cleanliness and organization, ensuring a safe and comfortable environment for both dogs and staff.
• Attend and participate in all required training sessions and meetings.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

• Ability to work in a high volume, fast-paced, high-stress environment.
• Ability to uphold and promote high safety standards in working with dogs of all sizes, breeds, and temperaments, some of whom have notable behavior challenges.
• Ability to effectively communicate and collaborate with a broad population; including fosters, volunteers, and staff.
• Outstanding customer service and interpersonal skills.
• Flexibility to work on a varied schedule; including early and late hours, weekends, and holidays.
• Ability to adapt and positively contribute to ongoing change, progress, and growth of the Dog Behavior Program.
• Commitment to driving continuous improvement within the Program.
• Commitment to communicating concerns with a solution-oriented approach.
• Commitment to APA!'s mission and a strong desire to increase its life-saving capacity.
• Must embody APA!'s Core Values of Innovation, Respect, Drive, Resourcefulness, and Inclusion.

• Must be able to routinely lift 40-50 pounds.
• Must be able to work around animals (including those with medical and/or behavioral challenges), loud noises, chlorine or other chemicals, and inclement weather.
• Must be able to visually observe people and animals from up to 150 feet away.
• Ability to hear normal speech at close contact and shouting up to 150 feet away with the ability to hear and discern dog vocalizations both soft and loud.
• Must be able to handle big dogs that pull and jump for multiple hours a day.
• Must be able to be on your feet for long periods of time.
• Must be able to pass all required dog handling training required for this position.
• Must be able to focus in a loud and busy environment despite distractions.
• Must be able to walk around the shelter as needed - uneven ground, keeping a safe distance from dogs and handlers.
• Must be able to adhere to and uphold high safety measures and protocols at all times.

• APA! Main - Town Lake Animal Center 1156 West Cesar Chavez Austin, TX 78703
• May travel to offsite locations as needed